Fence Installation Tool

ABSTRACT

A tool to facilitate fence cross-beam installation includes an elongate member having left and back generally flat surfaces and a plurality of windows spaced between bottom and top ends. A rod protrudes from the elongate member near the bottom end. In a method for installing cross-beams to adjacent first and second fence posts having tops, bottoms and front, rear, medial and lateral surfaces the rod is permitted to rest on an upper surface of the plank. The left generally flat surface is positioned against the medial surface of the first post and the elongate member back surface is aligned with the first fence post rear surface. Cross-beam support bracket are inserted through the windows in the tool and into contact with the first fence post medial surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

A typical fence includes horizontal cross-beams supported by fence posts and fence panels coupled with the cross-beams in a generally vertical orientation, Placing brackets on the fence posts to cradle ends of the cross-beams can be difficult. Cross-beam brackets frequently spin in place while cross-beam bracket fasteners are being inserted. Movement of cross-beam brackets during installation may result in injury to the installer.

SUMMARY

A tool to facilitate fence cross-beam installation includes an elongate member having generally flat left and back surfaces and a plurality of windows spaced between bottom and top ends. A rod protrudes from the elongate member near the bottom end.

In a method for installing cross-beams to adjacent first and second fence posts having tops, bottoms and front, rear, medial and lateral surfaces a proximal end of a is secured plank near the bottom of the first fence post and the plank distal end is secured to the second fence post such that elevations of the proximal and distal ends are equal. A rod is provided protruding from an elongate member having generally flat left and back surfaces and a plurality of windows spaced between bottom and top ends. The rod protrudes near the elongate member bottom end. With the elongate member approximately vertical, the rod is permitted to rest on an upper surface of the plank. The left surface is positioned against the medial surface of the first post and the elongate member back surface is aligned with the first fence post rear surface. The tool is secured to the first fence post. At least one first cross-beam support bracket is inserted through the windows in the tool and into contact with the first fence post medial surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example fence tool.

FIG. 2 illustrates positioning of an example fence tool against a fence post.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the example fence tool positioned against a fence post with a rod resting on a leveling plank.

FIG. 4 illustrates insertion of a number of cross-beam brackets and fasteners through windows of the example fence tool.

FIG. 5 illustrates two adjacent fence posts spanned by a leveling plank with the cross-beam brackets installed on the first fence post.

FIG. 6 illustrates two adjacent fence posts spanned by a leveling plank with the example fence tool, positioned against the second fence post and the rod resting on the leveling plank.

FIG. 7 illustrates removal of the fence tool and leveling plank from the second fence post.

FIG. 8 illustrates insertion of the ends of a plurality of cross-beams into cross-beam brackets coupled with the first and second fence posts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the Figures a new fence tool generally designated by the reference numeral 600 will now be described.

A fence tool in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to accurately position the horizontal fence cross-beam brackets onto the fence posts with no requirement to measure the vertical or horizontal position. The tool is also configured to support the brackets during the fixing process—holding the brackets in position and preventing the brackets from spinning while screws are being secured.

Fence tool 600, includes an elongate member 620 having a generally flat front surface 621, generally flat right surface 622, generally flat back surface 623 (FIG. 3), a generally flat left surface 624 (FIG. 6) and a plurality of windows or slots 632, 634 and 636 spaced between top 625 and bottom 627 ends and extending through left surface 624. Left surface 624 and back surface 623 are orthogonal while back surface 623 extends parallel to and spaced from front surface 621. Left surface 624 extends parallel to and spaced from right surface 622.

In some examples, a top window 636 may be provided near top end 627, a bottom window 632 may be provided near bottom end 625 and a middle window 634 may be provided intermediate top and bottom windows 636 and 632. A number of bores 642 and 644 are formed through elongate member 620 in an orientation parallel with left surface 624 but normal to back surface 623.

Rod or peg 650 is configured to be received in any of bores 642 and 644 and to thereby protrude from elongate member 620 near bottom end 625 and at an orientation generally parallel with left surface 624 but normal to back surface 623. Because rod 650 may be received in any of bores 642 and 644, it may protrude from elongate member 600 at any of a variety of positions between bottom and top ends 625 and 627. For example, with rod 650 received in bore 642, rod 650 is closer to bottom end 625 than if it were received in bore 644. For example, inserting the rod into bore 642 will set the tool height for 4″×2″ cross-beams while inserting the rod into bore 644 will set the tool height for 6″×2″ cross-beams.

Rod 650 may protrude from both front surface 621 and back surface 623 in some examples while only from one or the other of surfaces 621 and 623 in other examples.

To accommodate positioning of cross-beam brackets for different fence styles, fence tools may be provided in which windows 632, 634 and 636 are spaced closer to back surface 623 than front surface 621, are spaced closer to front surface 621 than to back surface 623 or equally spaced therebetween.

A method for installing cross-beams to adjacent first 100 and second 200 fence posts having tops 150, bottoms 160 and front 110, rear 130, medial 120 and lateral 140 surfaces is now described with reference to FIGS. 2-8. A proximal end of a plank 300 is removably secured near bottom 160 of first fence post 100. The distal end of plank 300 is removably secured to the second fence post 200 such that elevations of the proximal and distal ends are equal. Example means for removably securing plank 300 include but are not limited to clamps. In some examples, plank 300 is wider than the fence gap and has the same depth as the fence beam to be installed. In some examples, plank 300 may be secured approximately 5 cm off the ground at the side where the ground is the highest level.

A fence tool 600 is then provided to include a rod 650 protruding from an elongate member 620 having left and back generally flat surfaces 624 and 623 as well as a plurality of windows or slots 632, 634 and 636 spaced between bottom and top ends 625 and 627. FIG. 2 illustrates positioning of an example fence tool against a fence post. Rod 650 protrudes near elongate member bottom end 625. With elongate member 620 approximately vertical, rod 650 is allowed to rest on an upper surface of plank 300. Left surface 624 (not visible) is positioned against medial surface 120 of first post 100 and back surface 623 is aligned with first fence post rear surface 130. With fence tool 600 in position, it may be secured to first fence post 100. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the example fence tool 600 positioned against fence post 100 with rod 650 resting on leveling plank 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates insertion of a number of cross-beam brackets 412, 414 and 416 through windows 632, 634 and 636 of fence tool 600. Cross-beam brackets 412, 414 and 416 are fully inserted through windows 632, 634 and 636 and into contact with first fence post medial surface 120. Support brackets 412, 414 and 416 are now fixed to first fence post 100 with fasteners 413. Fasteners 413 usable with fence tool 600 may include but are not limited to screws, nails or pins. FIG. 5 illustrates two adjacent fence posts 100 and 200 spanned by leveling plank 300 with cross-beam brackets 412, 414 and 416 installed on first fence post 100.

Tool 600 is removed from first fence post 100 and moved toward second fence post 200. With elongate member 620 approximately vertical, rod 650 is allowed to rest on an upper surface of plank 300 adjacent to second fence post 200. Then, left surface 624 is positioned against the second post medial surface 220 and back surface 623 is aligned with the rear surface (not visible) of second fence post 200. Aligning back surface 623 with the second fence post rear surface may be accomplished by sliding left surface 624 across medial surface 220 until back surface 623 is parallel with the rear surface of the second post.

With tool 600 so positioned, it may be secured to second fence post 200. A second group of cross-beam support brackets are inserted through windows 632, 634 and 636 and into contact with second fence post medial surface 220. This second group of cross-beam brackets are fixed to second fence post 200 with one or more fasteners 413. With the brackets affixed, tool 600 may be removed from second fence post 200. FIG. 6 illustrates two adjacent fence posts 100 and 200 spanned by leveling plank 300 with the example fence tool 600 positioned against second fence post 200. Rod 650 rests on leveling plank 300 and cross-beam brackets 412, 414 and 416 and fasteners 413 are installed.

FIG. 7 illustrates removal of fence tool 600 and leveling plank 300 from the second fence post 200 to reveal cross-beam brackets installed on second fence post 200. After tool 600 has been removed, a first end of a fence cross-beam 500 is placed into a support bracket fixed to first fence post 100 and a second end of the fence cross-beam is placed into a support bracket fixed to second fence post 200. FIG. 8 illustrates insertion of the ends of a plurality of cross-beams 500 into cross-beam brackets coupled with the first 100 and second 200 fence posts.

According to other example methods, the tool can be used to position the horizontal fence beam brackets to build different fence styles including conventional fence panels positioned vertically side by side fixed directly to one side of the horizontal cross beams as well as good neighbor fences having panels positioned vertically on either side of the horizontal cross beams. The tool can be used to position brackets onto different size fence posts including but not limited to 6″×6″, 5″×5″, 4″×4″ as well as for different fence panel heights including but not limited to 5 ft and 6 ft. To adjust the tool for the correct fence style, the side face of the tool that is selected to be aligned with the inside rear edge of the fence post the windows will be at the correct depth.

While the above descriptions have been presented with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool to facilitate fence cross-beam installation, comprising: an elongate member having a generally flat left surface, a generally flat back surface and a plurality of windows spaced between bottom and top ends; and a rod protruding from the elongate member near the bottom end.
 2. The fence tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the left and back surfaces are orthogonal.
 3. The fence tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rod protrudes at an orientation parallel with the left surface but normal to the back surface.
 4. The fence tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of windows comprise at least one window near the bottom end and at least one window near the top end.
 5. The fence tool as set forth in claim 4, wherein the plurality of windows further comprise at least one intermediate window.
 6. The fence tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rod is configured to protrude from the elongate member at any of a variety of positions between the bottom and top ends.
 7. A cross-beam bracket installation tool, comprising: an elongate member having a generally flat left surface, a generally flat back surface, a plurality of windows spaced between bottom and top ends and a plurality of bores oriented parallel with the left surface but normal to the back surface; and a rod configured to be received within any of the plurality of bores.
 8. The fence tool as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a generally flat front surface parallel to and spaced from the back surface.
 9. The fence tool as set forth in claim 8, wherein the rod protrudes from both the front and back surfaces.
 10. The fence tool as set forth in claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of windows extends through the left surface.
 11. The fence tool as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of windows is spaced closer to the back surface than the front surface.
 12. The fence tool as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of windows is spaced closer to the front surface than the back surface.
 13. A method for installing cross-beams to adjacent first and second fence posts having tops, bottoms as well as front, rear, medial and lateral surfaces, the method comprising: securing a proximal end of a plank near the bottom of the first fence post; securing a distal end of the plank to the second fence post such that elevations of the proximal and distal ends are equal; providing a rod protruding from an elongate member having left and back generally flat surfaces and a plurality of windows spaced between bottom and top ends, wherein the rod protrudes near the elongate member bottom end; with the elongate member approximately vertical, resting the rod on an upper surface of the plank; positioning the elongate member left surface against the medial surface of the first post; aligning the elongate member back surface with the first fence post rear surface; securing the tool to the first fence post; and inserting at least one first cross-beam support bracket through the windows in the tool and into contact with the first fence post medial surface.
 14. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising fixing the first support bracket to the first fence post with fasteners.
 15. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the fasteners are screws.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising removing the tool from the first fence post.
 17. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising: moving the tool toward the second fence post; with the elongate member approximately vertical, resting the rod on an upper surface of the plank adjacent to the second fence post; securing the tool to the second fence post; and inserting at least one second crossbeam support bracket through the windows in the tool and into contact with the second fence post medial surface.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising fixing the second support bracket to the second fence post using screws.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising removing the tool from the second fence post.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 17, positioning a first end of a fence cross-beam into the first support bracket fixed to the first fence post and a second end of the fence cross-beam into the second support bracket fixed to the second fence post. 